Tokay sophomore off to L.A. for a spell

STOCKTON - Tokay High School sophomore Julie Fukunaga, no stranger to academic success, is headed to next month's California State Science Fair in Los Angeles with momentum.

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By The Record

recordnet.com

By The Record

Posted Mar. 11, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By The Record

Posted Mar. 11, 2014 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

STOCKTON - Tokay High School sophomore Julie Fukunaga, no stranger to academic success, is headed to next month's California State Science Fair in Los Angeles with momentum.

She won both the overall high school award and the environmental award at last week's 56th annual San Joaquin County Science Fair.

Her project - "Autonomous Solar-Powered Boat for Algae Control" - is designed to control algae in a more environmentally friendly way by sending out wavelengths or frequencies that kill the pond organisms without harming animal life in an aquatic setting.

Fukunaga, as a freshman, tied for first at last year's county Science Fair with a high school project titled "Electromagnetic Soil Sensing."

That same year, she won the 16th annual San Joaquin County spelling bee.

"I like a little bit of both," Fukunaga said. "They are equal."

So why does she excel in such seemingly divergent academic fields?

"If you have an interest, then pursue it," Fukunaga said. "Whatever you do, make sure you like it."

The local Science Fair is sponsored by the county Office of Education.

More than 1,200 students from 30 schools entered 400 projects. A team of 35 professionals helped judge the projects and conduct student interviews.

Organizers said the event was designed to "promote science exploration and understanding."

The winners by grade levels, their schools and districts, and their projects: